Dog care blog

Scorpion stings and toad poisoning in dogs.

NOVEMBER 7, 2026 · 3 MINUTE READ

Monsoon season brings two big yard dangers for Arizona dogs: bark scorpions and Sonoran Desert toads. A scorpion sting hurts but rarely threatens a dog's life. A toad in your dog's mouth is an emergency.

Bark scorpions.

Arizona has more than 56 kinds of scorpions. The bark scorpion is the one that matters for health, and it is also the most common scorpion in Arizona homes.

Bark scorpions are 2 to 3 inches long. They climb walls, hide in small damp spaces and come out more during monsoon, when the air is humid. They also glow green under a black light, so a UV flashlight makes them easy to spot at night.

Signs of a sting

• A sudden yelp
• Licking, biting at or holding up a paw
• Swelling or tenderness at the spot
• Drooling or restlessness

What to do

Call your vet. Keep your dog calm and watch it closely. Go to an emergency vet if you see trouble breathing, shaking, stumbling or collapse. A Tucson emergency vet center says a bark scorpion sting usually does not carry enough venom to threaten a dog's life, but it is painful, and your vet may want to see your dog.

Sonoran Desert toads.

The Sonoran Desert toad, also called the Colorado River toad, is one of the biggest toads in North America at 7 inches or more. The Desert Museum in Tucson says it is active from late May to September, mostly during the summer rains.

The toad's skin makes a strong poison. The Desert Museum says it can kill a full grown dog that picks up or mouths a toad. Toads also sit in water bowls, and that water can poison a dog that drinks it.

Signs of toad poisoning

• Heavy drooling or foaming
• Pawing at the mouth or shaking the head
• Bright red gums
• Stumbling
• A fast or uneven heartbeat
• Seizures or collapse

What to do right now

1. Get the toad out of your dog's mouth. Touching it will not poison you. Wash your hands after.
2. Rinse the mouth with a gentle stream from a hose or faucet. Point the water from the back of the mouth toward the front, so the water runs out instead of down the throat.
3. Wipe the gums with a wet cloth.
4. Call your vet or an emergency vet and go now. There is no single antidote, so fast care matters.

Monsoon yard checklist.

• Bring water bowls in at night, or empty and refill them each morning.
• Check the yard with a flashlight before letting your dog out after dark.
• Walk your dog on a leash at night during monsoon.
• Clear clutter, wood and boards where scorpions hide.
• Seal gaps under doors and around pipes.
• Save your vet's number and the nearest emergency vet in your phone.

A clean, clear yard makes it easier to spot trouble before your dog does. We scoop yards across Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Citrus Park every week. See our prices or find your town on our service areas page.

Sources.

• Arizona Department of Health Services: Monsoon season is scorpion season
• Arizona Daily Star: Scorpions and monsoon season
• FOX 10 Phoenix: What to know about the Sonoran Desert toad
• Pet Poison Helpline: Dogs and poisonous toads in Arizona
• North Central News: Sonoran Desert toad facts

Questions.

Can a bark scorpion kill a dog?

It is rare. Vets say a bark scorpion sting usually does not carry enough venom to threaten a dog's life, but it hurts. Call your vet.

What do I do if my dog licks a toad?

Rinse the mouth with a gentle stream of water pointed from the back of the mouth to the front, wipe the gums, then call your vet right away.

When are Sonoran Desert toads out?

From late May to September, mostly during the summer rains and mostly at night.